For hundreds of years they served as protection not only for sailors to illuminate the proximity of reefs at night. Today their usefulness is relative and as such, they no longer require the constant presence of the lighthouse keeper and his watchful eye. But these unique buildings allow them to face the wind and the sea, as well as enjoying stunning views. These are historical monuments whose beauty continues to dazzle. Many of them have been converted into original accommodation where you can seek solitude and spectacle.
Europe is a continent full of these lighthouses. Users of the company’s powerful flight and hotel search engine www.jetcost.ptthis time, they were invited to choose the 20 most impressive on the Old Continent, and three of them are here in Portugal: the Santa Marta Lighthouse in Cascais, the São Vicente Lighthouse in the Algarve and the Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse on the Island of São Miguel, in the Azores.
Santa Marta Lighthouse – Cascais – Lisbon – Portugal
Set in a beautiful setting at Ponta do Salmôdo at the mouth of Ribeira dos Mochos, especially if we look from the beach bar in front while we eat charcoal-roasted sardines accompanied by a good fresh green wine. It was built in 1864 and is part of the Santa Marta Fort, located in Cascais, being the first Lighthouse Museum in Portugal. The former lighthouse keeper’s house was converted into a museum whose contents portray the lives of former lighthouse keepers, technology and history over time.
São Vicente Lighthouse – Cabo de São Vicente, Algarve – Portugal
It is supposed to be the finis terrae of Europe, in tough competition with other Portuguese and Spanish capes and lighthouses. In any case, its location is spectacular, on the edge of 200-meter cliffs where patient fishermen cast their rod hooks. It is housed in a fortress built in the 16th century and came into operation in 1846, having completed its restoration in 1906, to protect the coast from frequent attacks by Arab pirates. It was built on the site of a medieval convent which, according to legend, kept the remains of Saint Vincent. This area –Sagres– was the residence of Infante D. Henrique, the Navigator.
Ponta do Arnel Lighthouse – São Miguel Island – Azores – Portugal
It was the first lighthouse to be built in the Azores Archipelago and was traditionally used as an approach light for ships arriving from mainland Portugal. The lighthouse is located at the eastern end of the island of São Miguel and access is via a difficult road, although it is worth it.
These are the other 17 most attractive headlights chosen by Jetcost.pt users from all over Europe
Maiden’s Tower – Istanbul – Marmara – Türkiye
It is a tower located on a small island located at the southern entrance to the Bosphorus Strait, 200 meters off the coast of Üsküdar, in Istanbul. The lighthouse, which warns the numerous ships sailing through the waters, has a sad legend. An oracle prophesied that the emperor’s daughter would die of poisoning by a poisonous snake on her birthday, when she turned 18. The emperor had the tower built in the middle of the Bosphorus to protect his daughter until she turned 18. On the princess’s 18th birthday, the emperor brought her a basket of delicious exotic fruits as a birthday present, and was happy to have managed to avoid the prophecy. However, when she reached into the basket, a viper that was hidden among the fruits bit the young princess and she died in her father’s arms, exactly as the oracle had predicted. Hence the name Maiden’s Tower.
Tower of Hercules – La Coruña – Galicia – Spain
The Tower of Hercules is the only Roman lighthouse still in operation and which continues to perform the same functions since it was erected. In all probability it was built in the second half of the 1st century or the beginning of the 2nd century AD by the Roman Empire, at the finis terrae of the hitherto known world, to accompany the ships that went around the tip of the continent and the furthest point of the Empire in the Western. Today it is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Capo Spartivento – Sardinia – Italy
Certainly today, it is one of the most elegant and exclusive lighthouses in Europe converted into a refined hotel, where the experience of sleeping there is a luxury, a resort that has preserved the vaulted ceilings of the old crimson red structure and expanded and restored the 700 square meters of panoramic terraces with stunning views of the bays of Malfatano and Capo Teulada. It is the oldest lighthouse in Sardinia, a dream place built in 1856 overlooking the sea in the south of the island, where the undergrowth smells of myrtle and juniper.
Rubjerg Knude Lighthouse – Hjorring – Jutland – Denmark
It is located on the North Sea coast in Rubjerg in the municipality of Hjorring in Jutland, north of Denmark and is visited by 250,000 curious people every year. Want the quicksand. Both coastal erosion are a serious problem in the area. The coast suffers erosion of an average of 1.5 meters per year and this meant that the lighthouse, which stopped working on August 1, 1968, became isolated in the middle of dunes, putting its survival at risk. The Danish government decided to save it a few years ago, moving it about 70 meters.
Fastnet Lighthouse – Fastnet Rock – Ireland
Fastnet Rock is a small island of clay slate with quartz veins. It rises about 30 meters above the low tide mark. As Jetcost.pt was able to prove, it is used as an intermediate point for one of the world’s classic yacht races, the Fastnet Race, a 1,126 kilometer round trip from Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, around the rock and back to Plymouth. It is also sometimes used as a mark for regattas by local sailing centers such as Schull and Baltimore.
Saint-Mathieu Lighthouse – Plougonvelin – Brittany – France
The Saint-Mathieu promontory is home to the ruins of an abbey, a traffic light and a lighthouse. This strange position is explained by the connections that these structures have shared throughout the history of Saint-Mathieu.
Capri Lighthouse – Campania – Italy
Located 3 km from Anacapri on the beautiful island of Capri, the Punta Carena Lighthouse is an active lighthouse that has been in use since 1867. It is the second brightest lighthouse in Italy after Genoa and one of the oldest in Italy. Although it is an impressive sight to see it in operation, it is advisable to visit it before sunset and the lighthouse starts operating to be able to enjoy the views of the incredibly rocky coast, the small coves and cliffs, the pine forest that borders the bay , the rich Mediterranean flora, the crashing waves and the imposing Torre da Guardia, an ancient historic watchtower.
Cabo de Gata Lighthouse – Almeria – Andalusia – Spain
Located in the heart of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, this 18-meter-high lighthouse was built due to the numerous ships that sank on the Laja de Cabo reef. From its base you have spectacular views of the coast and its cliffs. Furthermore, from here you can see the famous Recife de las Sirenas, where monk seals once lived, which sailors mistook for mythological creatures.
Virgin Island Lighthouse – Plouguerneau – Brittany – France
Ile Vierge is a 6 hectare island located 1.5 km off the northwest coast of Brittany, opposite the village of Lilia. It is the site of the tallest stone lighthouse in Europe and the tallest “traditional lighthouse” in the world. This imposing stone building is only accessible by boat. You have to climb almost 400 steps before reaching the top, where the views are magnificent. Next door is the first lighthouse on the Virgin Island built in 1845, but due to not having enough visibility, the new one was opened in 1902.
Lindau Lighthouse – Bavaria – Germany
The old Lindau lighthouse, 37 meters high, was built in the 13th century. It contributes to the charm of this island city on the shores of Lake Constance. Not far from the lighthouse stands the city’s emblem, an imposing stone lion, a symbol of Bavaria, which seems to mark the horizon.
Chipiona Lighthouse – Cádiz – Andalusia – Spain
It is the highest in Spain, measuring 69 meters from the base and one of the highest in Europe. Interestingly, it is one of the few lighthouses with both aerial and maritime functions, which projects a horizontal and a vertical light, thus serving as a guide for boats and planes. At the foot of the waters of the Guadalquivir and the Atlantic, you can climb to the skylight, although you have to climb 244 steps. Since 2018, the Chipiona Lighthouse Vertical Race has been taking place, in which almost 200 people usually participate. The race begins with a 50-meter run, ups and downs to the top of the lighthouse (688 steps in total), after ringing a bell at the viewpoint and a 450-meter run at the end.
Tourlitis Lighthouse – Andros Island – Greece
200 meters off the coast of the island of Andros, in the Cyclades, the picturesque Tourlitis lighthouse stands on a rock at the entrance to the port of La Chora. Built in 1897 and then destroyed during World War II, the current lighthouse is actually a replica of the original, rebuilt in 1990.
Genoa Lighthouse – Liguria – Italy
First built in 1128 and then rebuilt in its current form in 1543, Genoa’s lighthouse is a square tower, nicknamed the Lantern. It is 77 meters and reaches a height above sea level of 117 m. Symbol of the city, the Lantern dominates the port and offers a magnificent view of Genoa and its historic center. It is currently a little far from the sea and surrounded by buildings and roads.
Cape Hook Lighthouse – Wexford – Ireland
On the Hook Head peninsula is located the lighthouse of the same name, which is the oldest in Ireland and one of the oldest active lighthouses in Europe. Built almost 800 years ago by the Normans, it is one of the tourist attractions in southeast Ireland. You can visit the interior of the lighthouse, which has a stunning view of the sea from its
top.
Kõpu Lighthouse – Hiiumaa Island – Estonia
It is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world and is located on the Estonian island of Hiiumaa and has been an active aid to navigation since 1531. Standing 36 meters tall, the proud prism-shaped structure sits atop a 68-meter hill, ensuring it has the highest coastal light in the Baltic Sea. Despite the construction of a new radar beacon in 1997, Kõpu continues to be used as a navigation guide by local recreational and local fishing boats.
Maspalomas Lighthouse – Gran Canaria – Canary Islands – Spain
The beaches and dunes of Maspalomas are, without a doubt, the most appreciated, visited and photographed of all the Canary Islands. The whole of the Maspalomas lagoon, the dune field and the palm grove constitute an area of great ecological value. The decision to build the 55 meter high lighthouse was taken in 1861. At that time the site was an uninhabited area, isolated from the rest of the island. The lighthouse light was turned on in 1890 and served as a guide for ships traveling the routes between Europe and America.
Tags: spectacular lighthouses Europe Portugal
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